NPA Addresses Speculations Regarding Arrest Warrant for KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac) has refuted claims regarding a supposed arrest warrant for KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Rumors circulating on social media have suggested that Mkhwanazi was on the verge of arrest concerning allegations related to how suspects were treated during interrogations by the political killings task team (PKTT).
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Numerous individuals, including activist Fadiel Adams and violence monitor Mary de Haas, have previously claimed that members of the task team used harsh tactics to secure information from suspects.
Mary De Haas Addresses Allegations in Parliamentary Committee
During her testimony before Parliament’s ad hoc committee last November, De Haas reported that families had shared accounts of supposed mistreatment by the PKTT during investigations.
“The alleged abuses—both emotional and physical—are alarming. The use of tubing is prevalent. Many officers resort to such methods, making it almost standard. This information is based on reports from individuals who have interacted with the task team,” she asserted.
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“Emotional and psychological abuse is often directed at particular police officers. The extent of this emotional abuse is considerable. I’ve heard disturbing accounts. One person was coerced into providing false testimony against a former uMkhonto weSizwe member [not the political party].
“Routine seizures of phones and searches of homes without warrants are common practices—these actions are illegal. The fabrication of evidence is a grave issue; it is widespread.
“I hear troubling stories. There’s significant human suffering and deeply concerning incidents.”
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NPA Denies Social Media Allegations About Mkhwanazi’s Arrest
In response to the increasing online rumors, Idac denied assertions regarding Mkhwanazi’s alleged imminent arrest.
Idac spokesperson Henry Mamothame stated that these claims are baseless and intended to undermine law enforcement efforts.
“These rumors are clearly aimed at disrupting and distracting Idac’s operations, as well as the efforts of Gen Mkhwanazi in the fight against crime,” Mamothame observed.
“We urge citizens to stay alert against the false information spreading on social media, which seeks to undermine and discredit law enforcement in our nation.”
Mkhwanazi Previously Addressed Allegations of Undermining Justice
The allegations against Mkhwanazi are not new.
In November, Mkhwanazi informed the Madlanga commission about a possible case concerning the obstruction of justice that might be pursued against him.
He revealed that he received a notification regarding the matter from Brown Mogotsi through a WhatsApp message dated September 30, 2024.
The matter was tied to advice Mkhwanazi provided to a colleague on handling an arrest involving the acting head of the Qalakabusha correctional centre in Empangeni, who was accused of having drugs and ammunition.
“My involvement arose from that incident, even though the drugs and ammunition were found outside the residence where she lived—this was a state house within a state facility,” Mkhwanazi explained to the commission.
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“I advised the senior officer in charge of the operation on how to proceed with the incident, ensuring justice was served and a comprehensive investigation was carried out to prevent improper litigation against the organization due to a wrongful arrest of an individual.”
Mkhwanazi emphasized that investigators must ascertain the ownership of the recovered firearm and ammunition before making any arrests.
“Simply discovering something in a location does not mean it belongs to the person residing in that facility,” he clarified.
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